HS1, the operator of the high-speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel, is planning to introduce direct high-speed services between London and Bordeaux, France, in collaboration with three other international railway operators.

The introduction of the high-speed services will enable passengers to travel from London to Bordeaux in less than five hours.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Passengers to Bordeaux currently have to change trains in Paris where the journey takes five hours and 30 minutes, plus more than an hour spent on connections in Paris.

“There’s a real demand for international train services to provide a comfortable and better-connected service, especially for leisure journeys.”

The railway operators HS1, Lisea, Eurotunnel and SNCF Réseau are collaborating on train routes and timetables to enable a new international train operator to start the direct service in a ‘couple of years’.

HS1 chief executive Dyan Crowther said: “As we’ve seen with the recent introduction of the Eurostar London-Amsterdam service, there’s a real demand for international train services to provide a comfortable and better-connected service, especially for leisure journeys.

“This is the first time that railway operators have collaborated in this way and saves the train operator having to do a lot of legwork.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“The route is almost ready for a train operator to turn up and turn the key as soon as the UK and French Governments agree on border controls.”

The direct service between London and Bordeaux is expected to use the newly completed 302km French high-speed rail line connecting Tours with Bordeaux. The service will be direct, bypassing Paris, so passengers will not need to change trains.

All four railway operators met in Bordeaux to discuss developing the Gare de Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station in order to streamline international train departures. They also identified potential departure slots and train routes.